Abstract

The Adaptation and Response Working Group (ARWG) of the Maryland Commission on Climate Change (mccc) was charged with developing the Comprehensive Strategy for Reducing Maryland’s Vulnerability to Climate Change. The Executive Order calls for the Strategy to outline specific policy recommendations for reducing the vulnerability of the state’s natural and cultural resources and communities to the impacts of climate change, with an initial focus on sea-level rise and coastal hazards, including shore erosion and coastal flooding.

This report lays out the specific priority policy recommendations of the ARWG to address short-and long-term adaptation and response measures, planning and policy integration, education and outreach, performance measurement, and, where necessary, new legislation and/or modifications to existing laws. For the purposes of this report, the priority policy recommendations have been condensed and a select number of implementation targets identified.